New Porsche Boxster With Turbo Four-Cylinder Arrives, Revives 718 Nameplate

Porsche has introduced the latest generation of its mid-engine roadsters.

Reviving the 718 nameplate, the Porsche 718 Boxster and Boxster S pay homage to the flat-four cylinder engines that were used in the mid-engine Porsche 718 sports car that won numerous races in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Now that the Boxster comes with a turbocharged engine, the German automaker opted to give it a different nameplate as to not confuse it with the existing 911 Turbo and Turbo S models.

The standard Boxster will use a 2.0-liter flat-four turbo engine to provide 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the Boxster S is equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged mill developing 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. The Boxster S also features a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, helping it not only generate more power than the outgoing model but also enhance fuel economy up to 14 percent according to the New European Driving Cycle. EPA fuel economy figures will be available at a later date.

SEE ALSO: Porsche Boxster, Cayman Will Revive 718 Designation

Porsche also retuned the suspension and equipped the Boxster and Boxster S models with uprated brakes. According to the automaker, every body part except for the luggage compartment lids, the windshield and the convertible top has been changed. The inside features a newly designed dash panel, with the latest-generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a state-of-the-art touchscreen as standard. Navigation will continue to be available as an option.

Both models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission with the PDK available as an option. Sprints from zero-to-60 mph takes 4.5 seconds in the standard Boxster when equipped with PDK and the Sport Chrono Package. The 718 Boxster S does the sprint in 4.0 seconds with a top track speed of 177 mph.

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